April brings the sparkle of diamonds. Can you believe we have journeyed through 12 months of birthstones? In May we will start a new journey together! Stay tuned!

Join me as we learn about diamonds this month.

Gem Type: Diamond

Major Origin: Diamonds originate in South Africa, Botswana, USSR, and India

Colors: Various shades of colorless – rated from D to Z on the Gemological Institute of America scale – with D,E,F considered colorless; and G,H,I,J considered near colorless. At K a diamond starts to take on a yellowish tinge and further down the scale, it looks more brownish or grayish. Fancy Color Diamonds are rare: Pink, Blue and Intense Yellow diamonds which are a result of the presence of nitrogen, boron or hydrogen in their make-up command higher prices.

**Characteristics:**

**CLARITY:** This is basically broken down into 2 categories – blemishes, that are surface features like nicks or scratches; and inclusions, which are internal crystals or feathers. The size, type, location and number of inclusions will help determine a clarity grade.

CUT

There are 3 elements to cut. There is the diamond’s outline shape: round, square, oval, etc. There is the type of cut or faceting: round brilliant, step cut, or mixed cut. The most critical element of grading cut however has to do with assessing proportions, symmetry and finish. Done well, it is THIS that gives a diamond its ‘fire’ and ‘sparkle.’

Care

Usually safe to be placed in an ultrasonic cleaner. Can also be placed in sudsy water and then wiped clean with a water dampened soft cloth. If you’re unsure please feel free to ask me.

**Legends & Lore:**

The first diamond engagement ring was given to Mary of Burgundy by Hapsburg Emperor Maximilian I in 1477.
Louis XIV of France, the Sun King, was a collector of fine quality diamonds, brought to him by Jean Baptiste Tavernier, his jeweler merchant.

“Color Me Beautiful”: All palettes – diamond earrings brighten up the face of the wearer. Diamond jewelry in general draws people’s attention to it because of its sparkle. Diamonds enhance and draw attention to any colored gemstones they surround. Diamonds look good on everyone.

You should know: The combination of the 4C’s determines diamond pricing: Carat weight, Color, Clarity and Cut – with the single most important factor being the carat weight or the size. Diamonds are formed 100 miles deep in the earth, a combination of heat and pressure transform carbon to diamond. It is easy for miners to find little clumps of rough to create small diamonds. It becomes increasingly more difficult for them to find larger clumps of rough to form larger diamonds. Diamond pricing goes up exponentially.

10th & 60th Anniversary Gemstone